Meghalaya government wants to call off rescue work on the Ksan mining tragedy

Staff Correspondent

Shillong: The Meghalaya government is in a spot on the Ksan mining tragedy. It has requested the Supreme Court to pass an order to call off rescue operations in the mine site considering the futility of the whole exercise. The apex court had given an order that the bodies of the miners should be retrieved ‘death or alive’.

Since the tragic incident in December 13, 2018, where 16 miners were trapped inside the illegal coal mine, only two bodies have been retrieved. Even the family members of the trapped victims have agreed that they have no grievances against the decision to call off the rescue operation.

Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills FM Dopth confirmed to The Sentinel that the district administration has received the consent of the family members of the 14 men trapped inside to abandon the operations. “We have given the proposal to the government for necessary action”, he said.

Even State Home Minister James K Sangma said, “The chances of rescue are very bleak and we will take a collective decision”.

Official records indicate that around Rs 2 crore has been spent by the State Government in the rescue act.

Also read: Meghalaya news